William Stokes (physician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Stokes
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William Stokes
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| Born | 1 October 1804 |
| Died | 10 January 1878 (aged 73) Howth, Ireland,
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Citizenship | British |
| Known for | Cheyne–Stokes respiration Stokes–Adams syndrome |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | medicine |
| Institutions | Trinity College Dublin |
William Stokes (born October 1, 1804 – died January 10, 1878) was an important Irish doctor. He was a top professor of medicine at Trinity College Dublin. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School and became a doctor in 1825. After that, he came back to Dublin to work at Meath Hospital.
William Stokes wrote two very important books about heart and lung diseases. One was called A Treatise on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases of the Chest (published in 1837). The other was The Diseases of the Heart and Aorta (published in 1854). He also wrote one of the first books about how to use a stethoscope. He strongly believed that doctors should carefully examine their patients to figure out what was wrong. He also thought that medical students should learn by working directly with patients in hospitals.
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Medical Discoveries Named After Him
Some medical conditions are named after William Stokes because of his work.
Cheyne–Stokes Breathing
One is called Cheyne–Stokes breathing. This is a special type of breathing pattern. It's when someone's breathing gets fast and deep, then slows down, and sometimes even stops for a short time.
Stokes–Adams Syndrome
Another condition named after him is Stokes–Adams syndrome. This is a heart problem that can make people faint suddenly.
Stokes' Sign and Law
- Stokes' sign is a strong throbbing feeling in the belly. It usually happens on the right side near the belly button. This sign can appear when someone has a serious gut infection.
- Stokes' law is a rule that says a muscle above an inflamed (swollen and sore) body part can sometimes become weak or paralyzed.
Awards and Recognition
William Stokes received many honors for his work in medicine.
In 1858, he was chosen to be a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. This means he was recognized by a major science group in Sweden. In June 1861, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very important science group in the United Kingdom. They chose him because of his books on lung and heart diseases. They also recognized his other contributions to understanding diseases. From 1874 to 1876, he was the President of the Royal Irish Academy.
His Family
William Stokes came from a family of notable people. His son, Sir William Stokes, also became a surgeon. He wrote a book about his father's life in 1898. Another son, Whitley Stokes, was a well-known lawyer and expert in Celtic languages. His daughter, Margaret Stokes, was an archaeologist and writer. William Stokes' father, Whitley (senior), was also a famous doctor.
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